1. 适宜的；合适的；适当的；恰当的
    You use proper to describe things that you consider to be real and satisfactory rather than inadequate in some way.

    e.g. Two out of five people lack a proper job...
           每五人中有两人没有正当的工作。
    e.g. I always cook a proper evening meal.
           我总是把晚餐做得很丰盛。

2. 正确的；准确的；最合适的
    The proper thing is the one that is correct or most suitable.

    e.g. The Supreme Court will ensure that the proper procedures have been followed...
           最高法院将确保程序的履行合乎规范
    e.g. He helped to put things in their proper place.
           他帮忙把东西放置妥当。

3. 得体的；合乎体统的；正派的
    If you say that a way of behaving is proper, you mean that it is considered socially acceptable and right.

    e.g. In those days it was not thought entirely proper for a woman to be on the stage...
           那个时候，女性登台表演被认为不太得体。
    e.g. It is right and proper to do this.
           这么做很得体。

4. 严格意义上的；真正的；本身的
    You can add proper after a word to indicate that you are referring to the central and most important part of a place, event, or object and want to distinguish it from other things which are not regarded as being important or central to it.

    e.g. A distinction must be made between archaeology proper and science-based archaeology.
           必须区分考古学本身和以科学为基础的考古学。